December 2024

Five big reads of 2024

Five big reads of 2024

We reviewed the statistics and reflected on the articles that sparked your interest, and here are the top five most-read stories of 2024.

The Construction Industry Leadership Forum (CILF) convened in Brisbane on 24 October 2024 with more than 80 leaders. This exclusive platform was established in 2017 by the Australian Constructors Association in partnership with the NSW and Victorian governments. It has since expanded to include the federal, Queensland, South Australian and West Australian governments. Consult Australia was invited to join CILF in 2024 to represent the consultant’s voice.


“Having a seat at the table is crucial,” says Consult Australia’s National Policy Manager Kristine Banks. “To address productivity challenges and drive innovation through the infrastructure industry, we need to ensure consultants are central to the conversation.”


Key insights emerged from three focused panels:

Consult Australia’s CEO Jonathan Cartledge penned the year’s most-read article, celebrating the association’s achievements, including growth in membership and a 12% increase in total revenue year-on-year. “Consult Australia’s members have shown remarkable resilience, innovation and commitment to collaboration,” Jonathan said. “With this strong foundation I’m confident we will continue driving meaningful change and foster progress, partnerships and purpose in 2025 and beyond.”

The appointment of Stantec’s Natalie Muir and Arup’s Rachel Nicholls to Consult Australia’s Board underscored the depth of diverse talent around the decision-making table. It also captured attention for sharing the issues keeping industry leaders “up at night”. For Natalie, resource shortages is the issue to watch. “Ensuring we have the people to deliver projects already on the books is a major concern as the industry faces so much uncertainty.” For Rachel, a key focus is the project pipeline. “How can we deliver better, more sustainable growth in a way that doesn’t sit in the ‘boom-and-bust cycle?” 

Infrastructure investment was the hot topic of 2024, and Consult Australia strengthened its position as a trusted industry voice through timely updates and in-depth analysis. This article explored the shifting dynamics of government spending, and the role of Consult Australia’s advocacy as members navigate a rapidly evolving economic landscape. 

Another standout piece from Jonathan Cartledge tackled the Confidence and Continuity report, revealing that three-quarters of members surveyed felt their businesses faced greater risks compared to a year ago. The article explored Consult Australia’s advocacy for improved policies and regulatory clarity. “Uncertainty makes it more challenging for businesses to invest in the future. This is the message we are taking to governments as they outline spending priorities and plan their next round of nation-building projects,” Jonathan said.

As the Consult Australia Champions of Change Coalition continues its work to transform the industry, this article from human rights lawyer Prabha Nandagopal outlined the proactive measures that businesses can make to foster safer, more inclusive work environments. “Investing in the positive duty is a smart investment for businesses because strengthening workplace culture will improve recruitment, retention and organisational performance,” Prabha said.

Whether celebrating successes, responding to challenges, or setting new standards, Consulting Matters’ top five articles expressed Consult Australia’s reason for being: to work together for a thriving, competitive consulting industry.

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Five big reads of 2024